The Chatfield City Council met on January 14, their first meeting in the new year. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent.
A public hearing was held on the application submitted by Daniel Pecarina, president and CEO of Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc. (HBC). HBC wants to provide cable television service to the city. The same terms and conditions of a current franchise agreement would apply.
City Clerk Joel Young explained that a provider of cable television must enter into a franchise agreement which is the same as the existing provider. Mayor Russ Smith commented that competition is a good thing. HBC can provide an alternative service. There were no comments from the public.
The first consideration of Ordinance 439 was approved. The ordinance says the city grants a non-exclusive franchise to HBC to provide television service to the city.
Annual meeting
Young administered the oath of office to reelected members; first to Mayor Smith and then to councilors Paul Novotny and Mike Urban. Novotny was elected to serve as vice-mayor. Smith gave a brief statement. Because he was interested in city politics, he ran for a council seat and was first elected to the city council in 2000. Smith said the city council strives to do what is in the best interest of the city of Chatfield. He was glad to be back again and looked forward to the coming year and up coming projects.
Approval was given for appointments to council committees and advisory boards and commissions, which are essentially the same as last year.
Other business in brief
•The 2019 Olmsted County maintenance agreement was approved. The city maintains a half mile of CSAH 10 from Highway 52 and Union St. east and north to Wahler Valley Rd. NE. The county pays for routine maintenance on a quarterly basis.
•The resignation of Levi Roline from an EMT position was accepted effective January 4.
•Bob Barth, representing WSB & Associates, Inc., thanked the city for a reappointment to continue to provide the city engineer, currently Matt Mohs.
•Every three years the city is required to submit a pay equity report to the state. A preliminary analysis suggests the city will pass the pay equity test and will be in compliance with the law.
•A pay estimate to Ricchio, Inc. in the amount of $301,186 was approved for the swimming pool.
•Chill Fest will be on January 26. The Health/Resource Fair sponsored by Help Our Neighbors and the Olmsted Medical Center will be held on Saturday, January 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
•Liquor and beer licenses for 2019 were approved for seven businesses.